During renovation activities in Belgium, construction workers unearthed a significant cache of gold, estimated to be valued at over $10 million. The discovery occurred in Dendermonde, a town in eastern Flanders, prompting the workers to promptly notify local law enforcement upon finding “a substantial amount of gold.” The police department shared an image on their Facebook page, showcasing approximately 50 gold bars alongside numerous gold coins.

Belgian media reported that the gold, valued at around nine million euros ($10.4 million), was concealed within the cellar walls of a building owned by a local charity, CAW East-Flanders, which was undergoing renovation.

One worker, known only as Kobe, recounted to VRT, a Belgian news outlet, that the crew was initially in disbelief and astonishment upon making the discovery. “While we were performing groundwork to install a sewer pipe, we unexpectedly came across it,” he shared. “Finding gold was the last thing on our minds.”

Authorities confirmed that the gold was swiftly cataloged and placed in a high-security vault managed by federal government services. In a lighthearted update on their Facebook page, the police noted that several treasure seekers had expressed interest in revisiting the site, and even altered their profile picture to feature a gold coin in celebration of the find.

They issued a warning to the public, stating, “A golden piece of advice: it is truly pointless,” urging curious individuals to refrain from approaching the secured construction area.

The question of the treasure’s rightful ownership remains unresolved, leaving uncertainty about who, if anyone, might be entitled to keep it. “Let us hope that this treasure ends up in the right hands,” the police concluded in their post.